Accompanist

Columbia College Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 73,000; Part time

Job summary

Columbia College Chicago is seeking a staff accompanist to support dance technique classes by providing piano and percussion accompaniment. The role requires strong listening, rhythm, and improvisational skills, with careful collaboration with instructors and the Music Services Coordinator.

This is a part-time position reporting to the Directors of Facilities and Operations. The position offers an hourly rate range of $42.00 to $53.00, with pay structured as a non-union, part-time staff role.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a classroom accompanist preferred.
• Proficiency in instrumental techniques and styles appropriate for the dance technique class.
• Demonstrated proficiency and sensitivity to creating musical textures for classroom moments.
• Demonstrated ability to improvise as required.
• Ability to cultivate collegial relationships with faculty, students and staff.
• Must be attentive and engaged during class time.

Responsibilities

• Provide musically interesting aural accompaniment for weekly dance technique classes.
• Arrive on time, ready to play at start of class.
• Communicate effectively with the Music Services Coordinator and/or Instructor.
• Play piano, drums, or other instruments as required per the published class schedule.
• Accompany additional academic events such as Express Your Mess when scheduled.
• Accompany pre-arranged warm-up classes for performances as needed.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Skills

Piano

Drums

Improvisation

West African drumming

Music theory

Job description

Job Description - Accompanist (2600001C)

Job Description

Accompanist - ( 2600001C )

Description

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications, and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop.

Columbia College Chicagoisa private urban institution ofapproximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for a(an) STAFF ACCOMPANIST (Part-Time).

The part-time, Staff Accompanist, in their area of musical expertise, provides musical support for modern, ballet, and/or West African Dance technique classes, in deference to the course professor.

The accompanist may use instruments provided by the Dance department, or they may supplement these with their own instruments/technology. The position reports to the assigned instructor, and the Director of Facilities and Operations.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide musically interesting aural accompaniment for weeklydance technique classes.

Arrive on time, ready to play at start of class.

Communicate effectively with the Music Services Coordinator and/or Instructor.

Play piano, drums, or other instruments or devices for class sessions, asrequired per the published class schedule.

Accompany additional academic events such as Express Your Mess, when such events are scheduled during a regular class session.

Accompany pre-arranged warm-up classes for performances apart from the regular class schedule as needed.

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Previous experience as a classroom accompanist preferred.

Proficiency in instrumental techniques and styles appropriate for the dance technique class the musician is engaged to provide accompaniment for, i.e. European Classical piano textures for ballet, traditional West African hand drumming styles for West African technique classes, etc.

Demonstrated proficiency and sensitivity to creating musical textures appropriate for each classroom moment.

Demonstrated ability to improvise as required.

Demonstrate the ability to cultivate appropriate, collegial relationships with faculty, students and staff.

Must be attentive and engaged during class time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Minimum Hourly Rate: $42.00

Position Maximum Hourly Rate: $53.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Position subject to a background screening

This is a non-union position

This is a part-time position

This position is overtime eligible

Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.